Hello there!
I'm getting my MFA in creative writing in the Fall. (nonfiction)
I've been accepted to 2 programs (WOOO!!!!)- one at Columbia University and one at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Both are excellent programs, making it extremely hard to choose. Does anyone have any opinions regarding either program?
Columbia is like 3x the cost of NC with very little funding, but it's been my dream school for a very long time. It has a stellar faculty and when it comes to publishing, you can't really beat NYC. It's a 2 year program, but after those 2 years are up, I worry about being in debt for the rest of my life. I got a scholarship that will cover like 1/4 of tuition, but it's still a shit ton of money that I don't have. It also has a much larger cohort, but I like that- more writers to connect with! Aside from the cost, the program is a dream.
North Carolina has a great program, but I'm not very excited to live in NC. I'm pretty liberal, as well as disabled. I've heard that Wilmington is very *southern* in its mentality. (Not to bash southern states. I know most people and places are probably lovely!) I've read on numerous forums that Wilmington is not the most tolerant place and is known for being fairly racist. I fear individuals will also be ableist, and I don't want to subject myself to that kind of environment. These are just things I've read, though. Does anyone know anything else about Wilmington or UNCW? What the culture of the city is like? It's a 3 year program, and while much cheaper than Columbia, I would hate to go there and be absolutely miserable. (I haven't received funding info from this school yet)
Any and all advice/ insight is appreciated!